The Joyful Hearts Centre
A community-based rehabilitation program for children with cerebral palsy in the Kawangware slum, Kenya.
The Problem
The program is located in the Kawangware Slums of Kenya, where residents live under the grip of extreme poverty, which makes life a constant struggle to survive. The situation is worsened by the fact that government social services, medical care, and other essential amenities are almost non-existent.
Given the lack of access to medical care in Kawangware, complications before, during, and after birth result in children developing cerebral palsy. These children are particularly disadvantaged in Kenya, where there’s widespread ignorance of people with disabilities. The situation is even worse for extremely impoverished families in Kawangware. Many parents of children with cerebral palsy want to provide the proper care but can’t afford to, and they have no choice but to keep their children at home while they go out to find work.
The Program
The Joyful Hearts Centre (JHC), established by a group of seven mothers of children with cerebral palsy, provides community-based rehabilitation for children with cerebral palsy.
Operating in RHCF safehouse compound (formerly RHYCO), JHC is run by a special education teacher and gives families a place where their children can receive physiotherapy, feeding, cleaning, social stimulation, and other important development services. The program allows families to find work without having to leave their child at home. Each mother volunteers at the centre once a week, helping out with the program’s day-to-day activities. JHC currently has the capacity to care for 15 children. This program is being funded in collaboration with International Needs Canada, the Marafiki Trust, and Humanity & Inclusion.
Project 25
With Project 25, International Needs is inviting 40 compassionate people to commit just $25 a month to support the program at the Joyful Hearts Centre. Are you willing to be one of the 40? If so, you’ll be part of a small community that helps transform children who would otherwise be trapped in a lonely, difficult life. Your monthly gift will ensure the program can keep offering support without interruption.
100% Of Your Donation
will be used to improve the lives of children in Kenya, thanks to some generous donors who pay all our overhead.
Donate Now
About Us
International Needs Canada is a charitable organization with a global network of 34 partner countries. Our approach to development relies on the empowerment of indigenous leaders to bring about change in their local communities. We focus primarily on the empowerment of vulnerable children through education, health and wellness, character development, and skills training.
Get Updates
Contact Us
International Needs Canada
Toll-free: 1-888-702-9805
Office: 1-905-389-1118
Email: info@internationalneeds.ca
Address: 230-1119 Fennell Ave E.,
Hamilton, ON, Canada, L8T 1S2
Charity Number: #12994 3072 RR0001